Making Deals on Maui

Honolulu hotels, like the ones I wrote about in yesterday’s Hawaii Insider, aren’t the only ones making creative discount packages. On Maui, the resort area of Kaanapali (in Hawaiian, Kā‘anapali) is also offering some attractive accommodation options.

Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel

Pu’u Keka’a (Black Rock) and the island of Lanai can be seen from the grounds of the Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel.

At the Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel, the “Family and Friends” package for up to four people includes two nights in a pool-view room, breakfast, midsize rental car, $20 restaurant credit, $10 discount off adult tickets to “Kupanaha” (a dinner/magic show) and free pizza, bottled water and a cooler with drinks and chips. The package costs $499 for a two-night stay, with additional nights $245 (including the room, car and breakfast for four); those rates are good through Dec. 17 (except for Nov. 27-29). For details on this and other specials, including some good through 2009, click here.

While you’re there, you can take advantage of free classes in hula, lei-making, lau (leaf) printing and lauhala weaving, among other Hawaiian topics. Bring your own snorkel gear and you can enjoy a free show in the water, one of Maui’s top snorkeling spots.

The hotel was also recognized in April by National Geographic Traveler on its “Stay List” for its cultural programs and community involvement (as well as “roomy rooms … outfitted with loads of comfort.”) One highlight: the annual Hula O Na Keiki competition, which features solo girl and boy performers and boy-girl pairs, ages 5 to 17, from Hawaii and beyond. The 18th annual edition takes place Nov. 7-9 — it’s well worth attending even if you didn’t snag a room at the hotel. (To enjoy young singers, check out Na Mele O Maui, the annual student music competition at the Hyatt Regency just down the beach; this year’s event is Nov. 20.)

Just up the beach is the 23-acre Sheraton Maui Resort, host of the nightly torch-lighting and cliff-diving ceremony at Pu’u Keka’a (and sometime next month, the new Spa at Black Rock), which is also offering a variety of discounts and packages. The best values may be:

the Better Tomorrows deal of 50 percent off every other night, with a minimum four-night stay; rates start at $299 for the first night, good through March 31.

the Sunsational Savings package that includes a two-category upgrade, breakfast for two and a third night free, good through Dec. 23.

For details on all of the Sheraton Maui’s specials, which require special codes when booking online, click here.

Tune in today to “The View From the Bay” on Ch. 7 (KGO-TV, the Bay Area’s ABC affiliate) at 3 p.m. to watch my taped chat with hosts Spencer Christian and Audrey Mansfield about Hawaii deals and other travel tips. You can also watch the segment streamed live (or later on archived video) here. Note: I wasn’t paid for the appearance — unless you count the tuberose, orchid and lokelani lei provided by the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, which is promoting discount packages on its Web site. Mahalo — the lei’s beautiful fragrance still lingers.

Jeanne Cooper

The nightly cliff-diving ceremony at Pu’u Keka’a (Black Rock) by the Sheraton Maui.